ELLISVILLE — Jones College took the first game of a best-of-three series against Northwest Mississippi Community College with a 13-5 win in seven innings Wednesday night at Community Bank Stadium.
The game was competitive early, with both teams exchanging runs in the first three innings. Jones took an early lead after a leadoff single and aggressive baserunning, which led to a run for the Bobcats. Northwest responded in the third with a home run from Mason Gillentine to tie the game at one.
Northwest gained momentum in the third inning, loading the bases and scoring a run on a fielding error. Mason McMillin followed with a two-run single, giving the Rangers a 4-1 lead. However, Jones rallied in the fifth, capitalizing on a costly inning for Northwest. The Bobcats scored six runs in the frame, including a three-run homer, to take a 10-4 lead.
The Rangers attempted a comeback in the sixth, with a sacrifice fly from Gillentine bringing them within five. But Jones responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs to extend their lead. The Bobcats sealed the victory in the seventh with three consecutive singles, scoring the final run and ending the game with a 13-5 margin.
Northwest finished with five hits and stranded six runners on base. Mason Gillentine led offensively with two RBIs and two runs scored. On the mound, starter Justin Doty took the loss after 4.1 innings, allowing six runs. Connor Young surrendered six runs in relief, while Will Howell pitched the final inning.
The Rangers will face Jones in a must-win game Thursday night at Community Bank Stadium. The series winner earns an automatic bid to the NJCAA Division II World Series in Enid, Oklahoma, starting May 23.
